Search engines aren’t created equal

By Nancy Battick

Search engines and the search feature on genealogical websites are invaluable to genealogists. The problem is that no two are exactly alike. 

This can be frustrating and cause delays in retrieving the required information. Used improperly, it can also mean a researcher doesn’t find what they need, even though it may be present on the site.

The problem is that search engines are computer based. Unlike humans, who can consider alternate spellings or iterations of a name, a computer is rigid. If you click “exact” when searching, it will only retrieve what is precisely entered. If you don’t click “exact,” you may be faced with thousands of answers over dozens of pages, most of which have nothing to do with what you want to locate. Just imagine how many John Smiths there were in New England.

If you’re using a new site or if its search engine has been updated, it is wise to read through all the instructions. Many genealogists skip this step, assuming they can figure it out, but often end up tearing their hair out or exercising their unprintable vocabulary over what seems to be a deliberate attempt to prevent them from finding what they want. 

I confess I’ve been there, and truthfully some sites do have non-user-friendly search engines. But if they have the information you need, you’ll have to learn how to use the engine.

Then there are the non-genealogical search engines, such as the ubiquitous Google. There’s no question Google will offer you a ton of possibilities when you search for a name, place or just historical data. Much of it won’t be useful or you will need to wade through many false leads. Still, there are times when Google can provide you with quick answers, such as what an old death term means or where to locate an address. 

The National Genealogical Society’s NGS Magazine recently ran an article on this very issue. They point out that search engines can be picky (my words, not theirs) and require you not only to get the spelling of the person you are searching for correct, but the punctuation – such as O’Hara instead of Ohara – and occasionally not to use all lowercase letters. 

A search engine also might want diacritical (accent) marks to be used. Again, read the directions carefully.

I’ve used search engines on websites that ask for a full name, say my ancestor, John Smith. The engine pulled up every “John” and every “Smith” on the site. As Charlie Brown would say, “Rats.”  

While conformity in how search engines work would be a wonderful thing, I don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, any more than I expect all my electronic devices to use the same chargers. My phone has its own, my Kindles each have their own (new editions seem to require different chargers), and every other device that charges has its own version. 

When using search engines, read up on any tips, be patient, and good luck.

Columnist Nancy Battick of Dover-Foxcroft has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft. Nancy holds an MA in History from UM. Reader emails are welcome at nbattick@roadrunner.com.